Tesla launches emergency drive-away feature following Supercharger shooting

Tesla has begun rolling out a new safety feature called Emergency Drive Away, which allows drivers to shift their vehicle into Drive during an emergency even while still connected to a Supercharger. The feature is currently limited to Supercharger stations in the United States.

Under normal circumstances, moving from Park to Drive after charging requires unlocking the charge port first, either through the car's infotainment system, the Tesla app, or a button on the charging handle. That extra step can become a serious obstacle if a driver needs to leave quickly.

The update follows an incident this summer in which a driver was shot while sitting in his Tesla robotaxi as it charged at an In-N-Out Burger location in Twin Falls, Idaho. In the aftermath, Tesla owners pushed the company to introduce a fast way to disconnect and drive off, with some saying they would accept a fee for the feature if it helped prevent misuse.

How the feature works

When a driver shifts into Drive while the charging cable is still attached, the infotainment screen displays a notice requiring activation to override the lock. The system also warns that driving away with the cable connected will damage both the vehicle and the Supercharger equipment, and states the feature should be used only in emergencies. To activate it, the driver must hold down the brake pedal and tap an "Activate" button on screen.

Using the feature requires the latest software update, and it is not supported on Model S and Model X vehicles built before 2021. Tesla has stated that deliberate misuse of the feature will result in additional penalties, and that electrical and civil damage costs from forcing a disconnect can reach up to $25,000. It remains unclear whether Tesla will charge drivers for using the feature in a genuine emergency.